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Top players to watch in the Champions League
After a frantic summer transfer window across the globe, all European teams are geared up to do battle in the Champions League for continental cup glory. The Champions League is the stage where good players turn to great players, and great players turn to legends.
The road to St. Petersburg in Germany starts now as we document the top players to watch out for in this season’s Champions League. Who will live up to expectations and write their names in European championship history?
Paulo Dyabala
The 2020/21 season was one to forget for Paulop Dyabala as he suffered more injuries than enjoyed playing time. The Argentine featured in less than 20 matches while only returning four goals and three assists, his lowest in Serie A.
Paulo Dyabala is an immense talent who is yet to really live up to expectations, and now with the return of Allegri as Juventus coach, this could be the season where the Italian boss gets the best out of Dyabala.
Achraf Hakimi
Following his Serie A title triumph with Inter Milan, PSG paid a reported €60 million to secure the 22 year old’s services. Achraf Hakimi is still so young but he has already played football for Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Inter, this shows that there is something special about the Moroccan.
Memphis Depay
After a four and a half year spell in Ligue 1, Memphis Depay has made the switch to Spanish giants Barcelona from Lyon. Once again, he is playing under Ronald Koeman, with the duo having a successful partnership for the Dutch national side.
Memphis has always been a talent but an unsuccessful spell at Man United cast doubts over whether he can do it on the biggest stage. Now is his chance to really shine at a Barcelona team that has fallen from grace and lost their best player in Lionel Messi.
Robin Gosens
After a fairly inconspicuous club career that saw him spend time with some less famous clubs in the Dutch Eredivisie, Robin Gosens arrived at Atlanta without any hype. In each of the last two Serie A season, the German has been involved in 17 goals for his club, with 11 goals coming from last season, his best-ever tally in a single season at club level.
With Atalanta being dubbed as a dark horse, can Gosens play a crucial role in this year’s bid for Champions League glory?
Joshua Kimmich
Joshua Kimmich has established himself as a world-class versatile player for Germany and a crucial cog in the Bayern Munich wheel. The 26 year old right back turned midfielder, plays with a peculiar maturity that only veterans possess.
He played a huge role in the Bavarian’s treble-winning season and was also named in UEFA’s Team of the Year last season. He is undoubtedly a future leader and will look to make his mark on this year’s competition.
Mason Mount
Mason Mount has a lot to thank his former coach Frank Lampard for. The former Chelsea legend managed him for a season on loan at Derby County in the 2018-19 season, before making him a key part of his plans at Chelsea when he took that management job.
Now, Thomas Tuchel has shown the same trust in him and his partnership with the big Belgian, Romelu Lukaku, will prove to be a telling one this season in the league and Champions League.
Federico Chiesa
Serie A’s most valuable player possesses a goal threat, is skillful on the ball and works tirelessly off it.
His heroics in the Euro championship for the Azzurri has set him up for a big season for Juventus, who are looking to return to the summit of domestic and continental football.
Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian king has started the season off on the front foot in the league and will look to continue this form into the Champions League. With the added boost of Virgil van Dijk back in the side after a lengthy ACL injury, Liverpool will look to bounce back after an early exit last season.
Despite Mo Salah being one of the hottest forwards in Europe, his credentials are still somewhat questioned as he continues to live in the shadows of Luis Suarez. Can Salah finally put an end to any doubt by leading Liverpool to Champions League honors?
Kylian Mbappe and Erling Halaand
The France international is undoubtedly one of the most talented and hottest prospects in world football. This season is probably one of his best chances to go all the way in the Champions League, with the addition of the greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi, being added to their attack over the summer.
Despite being only 21, the Norwegian has already broke various records and has scored goals in the Bundesliga and Champions League at astonishing rates. Although Dortmund are not among the favourites to win the competition, Haaland’s stock continues to rise every time he steps on the pitch, attracting attention from some of the biggest clubs in the world.
Robert Lewandowski
The 2019/20 FIFA Best Player of the year will take to the pitch for Bayern Munich in what promises to be a successful year for both player and team. The Polish attacker has scored over 300 goals in over 330 appearances and will look to add to these astronomical numbers this season.
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